The Emotional Intelligence of Project Manager and the Project Success with the Mediation of Appropriate Response to Emotions and Appropriate Affective Display

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of project managers' emotional intelligence (EI) on project success within the construction sector of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, with a particular focus on the mediating roles of appropriate response to emotions and appropriate affective display. Emotional intelligence, encompassing the ability to perceive, understand, and manage emotions, is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in effective project management. Drawing on data collected from project stakeholders across various construction firms, this research employs quantitative methods to examine the direct and indirect effects of EI on project performance outcomes, including time, cost, quality, and stakeholder satisfaction. The findings reveal that higher emotional intelligence in project managers significantly enhances project success, and this relationship is partially mediated by their capacity to respond appropriately to emotional cues and to display affective Behaviours suited to professional contexts. These results underscore the importance of emotional and interpersonal competencies in project leadership, offering practical implications for talent development and project management training in the regional construction industry.